The NHL Department of Player Safety suspended Morgan Rielly for five games on Tuesday.
In the closing moments of Saturday’s 5-3 loss in Ottawa, the Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman was reprimanded for cross-checking Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig.
With six seconds remaining in the third period, Greig took a slap shot into an empty net, setting off the incident. Rielly then skated ahead toward the Senator and gave him a head cross-check. On the play, he was given a serious penalty for game misconduct.
On Rielly’s behalf, the NHL Players’ Association has appealed the ban.
A virtual hearing was arranged for Rielly with the Department of Player Safety on Tuesday instead of the original plan to meet in New York due to the snowstorm.
The 29-year-old would not be allowed to return until February 22, when Toronto plays the Vegas Golden Knights. This season, he leads the Maple Leafs defensemen in goals (seven), assists (36), points (43) and time on ice (24:21).
The first is to avoid trying to take on more than you can handle and from believing that your responsibilities exceed your capabilities. Prior to the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday—Rielly’s first game back from suspension—they spoke with coach Sheldon Keefe. For certain players, there are instances when it simply works out better because you are thinking less. You must leave. You don’t have time to think things through, and you’ll probably bail immediately away if you make a mistake. Guys occasionally just become incredibly enthusiastic about the opportunity to go out and perform.
“Whether things are going well or not so well, everyone is constantly looking for more opportunities. Guys have a strong desire to play. Now that we are in this situation, it is up to the team to act and react.
This will be Rielly’s first extended absence from Toronto since he missed 15 games due to a knee injury from November 22, 2022, to December 28, 2022. Without him, the Maple Leafs went 12-2-1.
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